Replace thermostat in 2000 ford ranger

I am trying to replace the thermostat in a 2000 Ford Ranger with 4 cyl engine. I've drained the radiator and removed the upper radiator hose. I do not see the thermostat where the upper radiator hose goes into the engine - there is just an open pipe.

Ok, so how do you get to the bolts! The timing belt cover is in the way and doesn't come out. I can feel one of the bolts, but not the other. Ok, so how do you get to the bolts! The timing belt cover is in the way and doesn't come out. I can feel one of the bolts, but not the other.

The open pipe that you took the hose off of is the thermostat housing, you will need to remove this to reveal the thermostat, make sure you use a new gasket with sealant when reinstalling thermostat housing to prevent leaks and dont over tighten the bolts,run both bolts down as far as you can before final tightning

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It is on the front of the engine, follow the upper radiator hose to the engine block. On a 4 cylinder engine it's located on the front of the engine block. On the 6 cylinder engine, it's located near the front of the intake manifold. There should be three bolts, remove and thermostat should be underneath. pay attention to the way it was installed.

Place the drain pan under the drain valve on the radiator. Loosen the drain valve and allow the radiator fluid to drain. If the drain pan is clean, you can reuse the antifreeze.

Loosen the hose clamps on the upper radiator hose using a socket, screwdriver or pliers, depending on the type of hose clamp on the hose. Pull the hose off the radiator and thermostat housing. If the air filter intake hose is in the way, loosen the clamps and remove the intake hose (on some engines).

Unbolt the two bolts in the thermostat housings. Pry the thermostat housing off the engine block. Pull the thermostat out of the housing. Remove the old gasket and discard. Slide the new thermostat into the housing the same way the old one came out. Install the new O-ring seal in the housing. Coat the housing with a thin layer of silicone gasket maker. Allow the gasket maker to dry.

Slide the bolts into the thermostat housing, then line the bolts up to the bolt holes on the block. Slide the housing down the bolts until it touches the block. Turn the bolts in by hand to get them started. Tighten the bolts to 89 inch-pounds of torque.

Reinstall the upper radiator hose. Tighten the radiator drain plug. Fill the cooling system. Start the engine with the radiator cap off. Allow the engine to come up to operating temperature. Look for leaks. Watch the level of the water in the radiator. Fill as needed

The upper radiator hose is connected between the upper radiator and the thermostat housing. Drain the coolant then remove the upper radiator hose from the thermostat housing, replace if necessary. Remove anything blocking access to the two bolts holding the housing to the engine such as the belt cover. Pay attention to the orientation of the thermostat so you install the new one correctly. If the housing is corroded or pitted you have have to replace it or suffer leaks. Push a rag into the engine opening now exposed and clean the contact surface well so it won't leak later. Installation is the reverse of the process.

First off drain the radiator. There is a piece that sticks out at the bottom on the radiator on the drivers side. Put a large container under it and unscrew the white-ish plastic bolt to release the fluid. Make sure the radiator cap is opened to let it drain quicker. Then remove the top hose. The thermostat housing is at the end of the radiator hose on the engine. There is a bolt on the upper right, right up against the belt shroud for the camshaft. There is one more under the housing to the left. You pretty much have to feel for it. There is not much space to work with so I removed the fan (4 bolts) wiggle it off. To remove the fan you also have to remove the shroud to get it off. No problem just two bolts. This should give you plenty of room to work with. Then remove the housing and exchange parts. Replace the gasket (its a small rubber o ring. Mine looked fine so I left it, but I did put a bead of silicon around it just in case. Reverse the steps and add fluid back to the system.

this is the same for most cars, follow the upper radiator hose from the radiator to the engine, it should connect to a metal fitting that bolts the the engine, have a drain pan ready underneath and remove those bolts, the thermostat should be underneath that metal fitting.